> "Compatible" would usually mean "the carrier's store sells that model phone."
> Otherwise they won't know how to fill out the paperwork.
> I've also heard that there's a certification mark that needs to be on
> the phone, and isn't included on international models. Dunno details
> about that though.
> --Richard
> On Mon, Jul 30, 2012 at 11:44 AM, Torsten Wagner
> <torsten.wag...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> But thanks for the link.
>> By "make sure they are compatible" you mean technologically?!
>> As far as I understood all smartphones should operate with all
>> networks (maybe beside of some very strange models or networks).
>> Getting an international available smartphone should work isn't it?
>> Totti
>> On 30 July 2012 11:26, Akiba <ch...@freaklabs.org> wrote:
>>> I normally recommend to people that don't want to get locked into a 2 year
>>> contract to buy a used phone directly from Janpara and get it activated at
>>> the phone company of your choice. Make sure the phone and company are
>>> compatible. Janpara used phones reflect the real market price of the phones
>>> (usually cheap) plus a discount based on the fact that it's used.
>>> Here's the smart phone category at Janpara. It's where I buy my smart phones
>>> for dev.
>>> http://www.janpara.co.jp/sale/search/result/?OUTCLSCODE=46
>>> Akiba
>>> FreakLabs Open Source Wireless
>>> Web: http://www.freaklabs.org
>>> Shop:http://www.freaklabsstore.com
>>> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/freaklabs
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: tokyohackerspace@googlegroups.com
>>>> [mailto:tokyohackerspace@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Torsten Wagner
>>>> Sent: Monday, July 30, 2012 11:09 AM
>>>> To: tokyohackerspace@googlegroups.com
>>>> Subject: [THS:19391] crazy Japanese mobile phone jungle
>>>> Hey all,
>>>> since my mobile phone contract is going to end, I was looking for
>>> alternatives.
>>>> However, as you all know Japanese mobile phone market is close to
>>> insanity.
>>>> All this plans, dozen of different options, half of which are
>>>> "mandatory options" (that is so ridiculous to have "must-tick"
>>>> options)...
>>>> Another half dozen of options which can or can not be canceled a few
>>>> weeks later.
>>>> All together with special offers, special plans, special service and
>>>> sure a dozen of money back offers.
>>>> And to all this horror people at the counter are, let me say polite,
>>>> still on there way of being professional. They actually telling you
>>>> stuff which is simply not true and on most and all more difficult
>>>> questions they ask you to wait for them as they go to get feedback
>>>> from a supervisor.
>>>> Actually, my phone is fine and I was considering to reuse it but maybe
>>>> switch to a cheaper plan with data-flat. I asked in several shops...
>>>> None of them could tell me if they just offer a bare standard contract
>>>> offering just a SIM card, no new phone, no special whatever options.
>>>> Just a monthly fee and a SIM card. I ended up again and again in a
>>>> selling conversation for a new phone.
>>>> On the other hand I know many stuff is possible, as long as you show
>>>> the staff in the shop exactly what you want to have and point them to
>>>> hard facts. They will check up again and again with the supervisors
>>>> but eventually, after hours of debating and waiting you might end up
>>>> with a SIM card.
>>>> So maybe we can summarize here the most easiest and cheapest way to
>>>> run a mobile phone in Japan without trapping in all this
>>>> super-offer-option-payback-point-collection nonsens...
>>>> That is a topic which is coming up over and over again on this list
>>>> and if we find some sane good solutions we could add this to the THS
>>>> page.
>>>> Ok here is a start
>>>> Long-time residents (2 years and longer):
>>>> Just sign up for one of the plenty 2 year contract offers, make sure
>>>> you do not pay to much for the phone (the price given is not the
>>>> market price), ask for discounts if you pay the phone in one go, take
>>>> a native Japanese speaker with you (it's not only language but also
>>>> cultural translation), try to avoid as many of the "attractive"
>>>> options as possible, make sure you can cancel the mandatory options
>>>> later. Do not get talked into something!
>>>> Mid-time residents (3 month - 2 years):
>>>> Try to get a bare SIM card offer and use it in your own phone.
>>>> Make a 2 year contract like above but check out for cancellation fees
>>>> if you have to cancel in advance.
>>>> Short-time visitors (<3 month):
>>>> Use some of the prepaid SIM cards like bmobile and your own phone
>>>> Rent a phone from services at the airport or online
>>>> Totti
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>>> --
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>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TokyoHackerSpace" group.
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> --
> --Richard Frankum
> --
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